Pressure-induced metallization and amorphization in VO 2 (A) nanorods. Physics, 93(18) nanorods is demonstrated, which provides important physical foundation in experimental understanding of MIT in VO 2 . The observed tetragonal metallic state at ∼28 GPa should be interpreted as a distinct metastable state, while increasing pressure to ∼32 GPa, it transforms into a metallic amorphous state completely. The metallization is due to V 3d orbital electrons delocalization, and the amorphization is attributed to the unique variation of V-O-V bond angle. A metallic amorphous VO 2 state is found under pressure, which is beneficial to explore the phase diagram of VO 2 . Furthermore, this work proves the occurrence of both the metallization and amorphization in octahedrally coordinated materials.
Physical Review B. Condensed Matter and Materials